Knowing another storm was imminent, I pushed myself this week to accomplish garden projects. Oh woe is me; I’ll have to work on indoor projects!!
Postscript, Nov. 7, 2015: One of my readers brought it to my attention that I used “eminent” when I intended to use imminent. Sincere THANKS.
Very little rain; beautiful morning!! First, I pounded pipes in the ground to support the “feeding station.” I double-dare it to topple over again!! Then I positioned bird feeders but most are empty. Remember? A few days ago I had rain-soaked bird seed to discard and feeders to clean. Fewer feeders…, less seed!! (We still have rain predicted for this weekend.) Now I’m set for Project Feeder Watch. (Not my first experience watching and counting the birds.)
Premature, perhaps, but I unexpectedly found myself moving plants into the shelter. Good thing, too, because I realize I have “too many” for an urgent relocation if/when freezing temperatures arrive. Because they were scattered all around my trailer, I didn’t realize how many planters contained perennials. With two tarp-flaps open, the plants will still get lots of light–and certainly lots of warmth.
My yard takes a lot of work–and a lot of energy!! Still more planters… but too heavy for me to lift. “Too heavy” medium-size planters!! The “giant” planters on the “back side” of my trailer will stay in place and get covered when foul weather dictates.
Many of the plants, in the last picture (above), were mark-downs from Lowe’s. I hope to have healthy plants ready for Spring projects. Several of my fellow CARE residents want to start planters–so “we” will have a head-start.
The “target” project, for today, was organization of the shelter. But I raked pine needles, swept debris, hosed off debris, and much more. I’m closer to that day when I move perennial plants under cover when TV meteorologist’ advise us of freezing temperatures. Read “Salvage… to Splendid“ for shelter construction pictures.
Also wrestled the “tie down” anchors into position. Beastly heavy but manageable with my little hand truck. Read “Oh my aching back.”
I’m not complaining: Excellent exercise, lots of fresh air!!
Eleven years ago today (Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004) I left Lancaster, California. All my possessions had been loaded into a moving van on Monday. I slept on the floor of my vacated mobile home. Before leaving the area that had been my home for forty years, I voted (Tuesday, November 2nd, for George Bush).
I traveled as fast as I could across the United States in my little KIA Spectra. I encountered weather hazards, construction and accidents that delayed me for hours!! I barely arrived in Brookville, Ohio, before the van! I was exhausted, and stressed–and had phoned friends to keep me in their prayers.
Boxes of family history had been marked and loaded last into the moving van. They were unloaded first at the rear of the Brethren Heritage Center (in Brookville, Ohio). Over fifty apple boxes (and other sturdy containers) of FRANTZ, and collateral lines, genealogy. Also microfiche reader, computer, printers, cork boards, large picture frames, and more items too numerous to list.
The remainder (on the moving van) was moved into a nearby storage facility. I did not have an apartment yet. ~~ The moving expenses were paid-in-full but I wanted to recoup the expense. I was hired as a holiday temporary employee at Sam’s Club. After Christmas I was hired by a new Walmart opening in Englewood, Ohio. I was there for eighteen months.
I moved to Ohio fully believing I’d be a volunteer at the Brethren Heritage Center. I was thoroughly qualified and would have been an asset. My enthusiasm, energy, knowledge and a few other things (but that’s another story) were an obstacle.
In October 2006 I moved my possessions from an apartment to a storage facility. (I rented one large enough for my KIA Spectra.) I was crying uncontrollably as I drove out of Brookville en route to Shelby, North Carolina. This trip was in my Dodge Class B mini-motorhome.
The Woman’s Retreat at Hallelujah Acres (HA) was my destination–and it was wonderful!! I had been trained by Hallelujah Acres as a Health Minister many years earlier and had taught (and lived) the concept in California. ~~ I became acquainted with the manager of the HA Resource Center and she encouraged me to apply for a job. Repeatedly (every time she asked) I said “they wouldn’t want this old lady.” To please her, I applied and was hired within hours. First I was using my computer skills in the Call Center. Later I had multiple jobs from prep for seminars and conferences, proof reading magazine prior to publication, contact with folks interested in buying homes in the planned community adjacent to HA.
Our economy took a dive in 2008-09 and HA suffered tremendously. If people are out of work they won’t schedule to attend seminars or conferences. They may buy their nutritional supplements from another source rather than “top dollar” with an agency dedicated to health and nutrition. Interest in the planned community ceased!! Fewer meals were served in the cafe. Fifty employees lost their job in a few short months. I remained in Shelby but felt lost without “purpose” in my life.
One unique experience: I was an “extra” for the movie Blood Done Sign My Name. Shelby was chosen because of the old-time downtown buildings and court-house. The movie depicts a true story from 1970. I met the author, Timothy B. Tyson, and his father (prominent figure in the narrative) and bought a copy of the book. We (extras) sat around for hours before and after our scene, and then numerous retakes, but I met interesting people and appreciated a view of the mechanics of film making.
Bored with inactivity while searching for another job (to qualify for unemployment) –and restless to do some traveling–I bought a Little Guy Teardrop Trailer. I documented my experiences in a blog titled In My Humble Opinion but can’t get into the web site!! (Grrrrrrr!! Companies change formats frequently and leave the consumer [Lorraine] puzzling over the new “how to.”). Because of the rewarding, busy schedule with Hallelujah Acres, and no travel, I sold my mini-motorhome. (Had I known the job would cease, I would **never** have parted with my much-loved RV!!) ~~ On one trip, in Northern Indiana, I saw the T@B parked along the highway–with a “for sale” sign–and stopped…, and phoned…, and later purchased. Check TabTeardropTrailerTravels for details.
I lived in a nice two bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Shelby. There was a large grassy area in front of my unit; I looked across at a charming little country church. BUT there was a constant turnover of tenants in the adjoining apartment. Without exception, the new resident was a smoker and I am very, very sensitive to odors. I repeatedly asked the owner “please do not rent to a smoker.” In December 2009 a single woman moved in next door and (you guessed it) she was a smoker (exceptionally heavy smoker). In January 2010 her son and daughter-in-law moved in and they, too, were smokers. I recognized that it was time to pack up and move on. ~~ A PODS container was delivered near the end of March and my possessions were crammed it. ~~ At the first of April I moved–with my T@B–a few miles to the home of friends and parked in their orchard (with long electric cord providing power). I spent several days completing my Income Taxes.
So many stories to tell; I can’t finish this narrative in one evening. In T@B Teardrop Trailer Travels, I have pictures of my nine month, nine thousand mile trip through the New England states and Canada. Then almost two years volunteering with Wycliffe Bible Translators (Orlando, Florida and Waxhaw, North Carolina). When a neighbor lady spread moth balls in front and behind our apartments (making me ghastly sick), I decided it was time to pack up and try something new. (I’m extremely sensitive to odors.) I traveled to Escapees CARE to serve as a volunteer. I’ve been here for twenty-five months: Twenty-two months as a resident after three months volunteering.
After the storm, I “expected” to do a lot of clean up. Before the day was over, I had a totally unexpected project. I reached for the Christmas Cactus planning to gently carry it to the CARE Center. I was afraid blooms might fall off if I waited… and then carried it to the Center. The planter broke away from the three slender plastic pieces of the hanging basket. The Christmas Cactus hit the ground, upside down, with soil scattered all around. 1) I lovingly picked it up and put it back in the planter. 2) I gently added more soil around the edges. 3) Now I wait to see if it will recover–and bloom. The “unexpected” meant I should attempt to save the broken pieces of Christmas Cactus. (I’ve been told it is easy to start….) Time will tell whether I eventually have many more.
The rain-soaked bird seed was caked, like cement, in the feeders. It took a considerable amount of time to clean seven feeders. I “expected” to put the “feeding station“ back in place–with heavier supports–but ran out of energy. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I’ll get “a round tuit.”
David has a very long list of people anxious for him to work on their specific project. To trim an overgrown hedge was a departure from building porches and decks, and repairing slide-outs. I believed I could speed up the process if I picked up limbs. However, by three o’clock I had to admit that I was just too tired to finish the cleanup. David said he wasn’t tired (I should be so lucky). ~~ Click each picture to enlarge for better viewing.
No leaf raking today; still raining (lightly). At my first opportunity, a lot of debris to clean up. Also, time to organize the area under the shelter for planters. When TV meteorologist’ predict freezing temperatures, I’ll move smaller planters under cover. Others (too large) will be covered with recently purchased (CARE garage sale) old sheets. Oh, woe is me, active gardening is coming to a halt!!
One branch of the Mandevilla/Dipladenia was broken when I purchased the $4.00 plant at Lowe’s on May 16th. I wanted the plant because it revealed the color of the blossoms. Maybe the broken branch will “root”?! ~~ Parent plant looking good on June first.
More details on an earlier blog titled Indoor Project. On a chilly, rainy November morning, I am entertaining myself with “indoor projects.”
Honestly, this plant won’t join “the parent” until next Spring (after all danger of freezing temperatures).
Three Quarters & Counting 